Is This What We've Been Waiting For?

[robertsapp]

Google Nexus 7. A seven inch Android tablet with WiFi and Bluetooth. Includes GPS, accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer, which would make it a capable chartplotter.

Only $199. On the market next month.

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/tablets/google-nexus-7-1087040/review#articleContent

 

[kpgraci]

Is it waterproof?

 

[arf145]

For that price, it's what I've been waiting for--though not as my primary chartplotter. But it would be great to have a backup.

 

[Warren Milberg]

From the sound of the ads, this product would seem to have great promise and great value.

 

[Delezynski]

The Lenovo A1? It has all of that also, GPS Etc. And it's been out for some time and you can get it for the same price, now.

I got mine some time ago and have been playing with it. I have 3 nav programs on it now. It may be OK for weekend sailing, but it's sure not up to the task YET. I am sure it will be some time, but for a real backup, I LOVE OpenCPN on a laptop. BEST FREE nav. program I have ever seen!!!!

Greg

 

[Bill Roosa]

NO, it is not what you are looking for.
You need Chapman's Piloting, a compass, PAPER maps, and some beer. A sexy first mate is a decided plus but not a necessity.
Seriously, it has been documented pretty thoroughly that racing sailboats go to sea with upwards of 7 GPSes (waterproof too!!) and they return with NO working GPSes. Do you really think this thing is going to last when a waterproof device designed for the sea will not?

 

[robertsapp]

Like many people, I have a full time job, a house with large yard that needs constant attention, and numerous life responsibilities. I am not a ship captain, river pilot, or offshore fishing guide. My opportunities to sail are limited to weekend trips in the local bays and bayous, where I am never out of sight of land and my biggest concern is encountering any of the numerous thin areas we have randomly scattered about our local waters. I don't see where a copy of Chapman's Piloting would do me any good whatsoever except maybe as a booster seat for my wife when she's at the helm, and while we have what appears to be a perfectly functional compass, when we have the opportunity to sail, I want to sail, and not hunch over a paper chart at the chart table plotting little dots. I suspect (don't know for sure, but a strong hunch) that my situation reflects that of the vast majority of sailboat owners. So the idea of a small Android tablet that can run a chartplotting program and the latest NOAA charts has great appeal - especially when it's priced at a point where I won't plunge into despondency if it were to be accidently dropped overboard.

Now I'm with you on the beer. Unfortunately we're trying to reduce our carb intake, and while it has helped us greatly with our waistlines, I just can't develop a taste for Mich Ultra.

 

[Rick D]

Boy, do I know about Ultra! The best thing you can say for it is that it's better than Cole zero, or water which it closely resembles.

BTW, I use Open CPN on a netbook which is tied to the TV and has AIS input too. I have an older chart plotter but it has become my back up. (I have four GPS's aboard and a chartbook._

 

[kenn]

...my biggest concern is encountering any of the numerous thin areas we have randomly scattered about our local waters.... the idea of a small Android tablet that can run a chartplotting program and the latest NOAA charts has great appeal

Is the screen easily visible in direct sunlight? If not, it won't be much use for normal daytime navigation, unless someone huddles in a dark cabin calling out directions to the helmsperson.

That's my benchmark for a 'primary' device. I bought a used handheld (etrex Vista - it does smallish charts) and just this year I scored a Lowrance handheld at a flea market for $5 - just data. Both of these have proven reliable at grabbing the satellites and providing a fix, direction, SOG, navigating to a waypoint. And both are visible in any condition.

Best way to avoid thin water is to plot a course and set some waypoints or compass bearings. And paper charts still work fine for these.

just my 2 cents. I personally hate sailing with my face stuck on a display, so our GPS is off unless we need to follow a course. I get enough display-time on land.